2023 Colorado Buffaloes football team explained

Year:2023
Team:Colorado Buffaloes
Sport:football
Conference:Pac-12 Conference
Short Conf:Pac-12
Record:4–8
Conf Record:1–8
Head Coach:Deion Sanders
Hc Year:1st
Cooff Coach1:Sean Lewis
Cooc1 Year:1st
Cooff Coach2:Pat Shurmur
Cooc2 Year:1st
Off Scheme:Multiple[1]
Dc Year:1st
Def Scheme:Multiple
Stadium:Folsom Field

The 2023 Colorado Buffaloes football team represented the University of Colorado Boulder as a member of the Pac-12 Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. This was the program's 13th and final year in the Pac-12 before they rejoined the Big 12 Conference in 2024. The Buffaloes were led by first-year head coach Deion Sanders. They played their home games on campus at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado.

Preseason

Spring game

The Colorado Buffaloes spring game was held on April 22, 2023 at Folsom Field. The 2023 spring game sold out for the first time since 1996 and was the highest attended spring game to date in program history with 47,277 in attendance.[2] [3] [4] The game was televised nationally by ESPN and was the only spring game to air on the main network.[5]

Schedule

The Colorado Buffaloes and the Pac-12 announced the 2023 football schedule on January 18, 2023.[6]

[7]

Game summaries

at No. 17 TCU

See also: 2023 TCU Horned Frogs football team.

Statistics COL TCU
First downs 30 27
Total yards 565 541
Rushes/yards 34–55 37–262
Passing yards 510 279
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 38–47–0 24–42–2
Time of possession 34:33 25:27
Team Category Player Statistics
Colorado Passing 38/47, 510 yards, 4 TD
Rushing Sy'veon Wilkerson 13 carries, 45 yards, TD
Receiving 5 receptions, 135 yards, 3 TD
TCU Passing 24/42, 279 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing 14 carries, 164 yards
Receiving J. P. Richardson 6 receptions, 63 yards

vs Nebraska

See also: 2023 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team and Colorado–Nebraska football rivalry.

Statistics NEB COL
First downs 15 23
Total yards 341 454
Rushes/yards 41–222 33–58
Passing yards 119 396
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 11–22–1 32–44–0
Time of possession 29:41 31:19
Team Category Player Statistics
Nebraska Passing 9/15, 106 yards, INT
Rushing Gabe Ervin Jr. 17 carries, 74 yards
Receiving Billy Kemp IV 5 receptions, 57 yards
Colorado Passing Shedeur Sanders 31/42, 393 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Dylan Edwards 9 carries, 55 yards
Receiving 10 receptions, 170 yards, TD

vs Colorado State

See also: 2023 Colorado State Rams football team and Rocky Mountain Showdown.

Statistics CSU COL
First downs 23 23
Total yards 499 418
Rushes/yards 39–102 25–70
Passing yards 397 348
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 35–48–3 38–47–1
Time of possession 34:37 25:23
Team Category Player Statistics
Colorado State Passing 34/47, 367 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT
Rushing Kobe Johnson 15 carries, 54 yards
Receiving 16 receptions, 133 yards, TD
Colorado Passing Shedeur Sanders 38/47, 348 yards, 4 TD, INT
Rushing Dylan Edwards 10 carries, 57 yards
Receiving Xavier Weaver 9 receptions, 98 yards, TD

at No. 10 Oregon

See also: 2023 Oregon Ducks football team.

Statistics COL ORE
First downs 13 30
Total yards 199 522
Rushes/yards 25–40 38–240
Passing yards 159 282
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 23–33–0 30–35–1
Time of possession 24:54 35:06
Team Category Player Statistics
Colorado Passing Shedeur Sanders 23/33, 159 yards, TD
Rushing Anthony Hankerson 5 carries, 31 yards
Receiving Xavier Weaver 9 receptions, 75 yards
Oregon Passing 28/33, 279 yards, 3 TD, INT
Rushing 10 carries, 89 yards
Receiving 8 receptions, 126 yards, 2 TD

vs No. 8 USC

See also: 2023 USC Trojans football team.

Statistics USC COL
First downs 26 32
Total yards 498 564
Rushes/yards 25–95 45–193
Passing yards 403 371
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 30–40–1 30–45–1
Time of possession 27:55 32:05
Team Category Player Statistics
USC Passing 30/40, 403 yards, 6 TD, INT
Rushing 13 carries, 88 yards, TD
Receiving 8 receptions, 117 yards, TD
Colorado Passing 30/45, 371 yards, 4 TD, INT
Rushing Anthony Hankerson 16 carries, 74 yards, TD
Receiving 7 receptions, 196 yards, TD

at Arizona State

See also: 2023 Arizona State Sun Devils football team.

Statistics COL ASU
First downs 19 25
Total yards 295 392
Rushes/yards 30–56 29–57
Passing yards 239 335
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 26–42–0 32–50–0
Time of possession 25:12 34:48
Team Category Player Statistics
Colorado Passing Shedeur Sanders 26/42, 239 yards, TD
Rushing Anthony Hankerson 10 carries, 58 yards
Receiving Javon Antonio 5 receptions, 81 yards, TD
Arizona State Passing 32/49, 335 yards, TD
Rushing 13 carries, 49 yards, TD
Receiving 12 receptions, 134 yards

vs Stanford

See also: 2023 Stanford Cardinal football team.

Statistics STAN COL
First downs 30 32
Total yards 523 532
Rushes/yards 39–124 35–132
Passing yards 399 400
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 28–49–0 33–47–1
Time of possession 34:42 25:18
Team Category Player Statistics
Stanford Passing 27/45, 396 yards, 4 TD
Rushing Ashton Daniels 16 carries, 39 yards
Receiving 13 receptions, 294 yards, 3 TD
Colorado Passing Shedeur Sanders 33/47, 400 yards, 5 TD
Rushing Shedeur Sanders 13 carries, 37 yards
Receiving 13 receptions, 140 yards, 2 TD

at No. 23 UCLA

See also: 2023 UCLA Bruins football team.

Statistics COL UCLA
First downs 20 26
Total yards 242 487
Rushes/yards 24–25 45–218
Passing yards 217 269
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 27–43–0 20–28–2
Time of possession 26:46 33:14
Team Category Player Statistics
Colorado Passing Shedeur Sanders 27/43, 217 yards, TD
Rushing 2 carries, 14 yards
Receiving Xavier Weaver 5 receptions, 86 yards
UCLA Passing 20/27, 269 yards, 2 TD
Rushing T. J. Harden 20 carries, 78 yards, TD
Receiving Logan Loya 7 receptions, 111 yards

vs No. 16 Oregon State

See also: 2023 Oregon State Beavers football team.

Statistics OSU COL
First downs 25 15
Total yards 418 238
Rushes/yards 46–195 19–-7
Passing yards 223 245
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 12–25–0 24–39–0
Time of possession 35:58 24:02
Team Category Player Statistics
Oregon State Passing 12/24, 223 yards, 1 TD
Rushing 21 carries, 115 yards
Receiving 3 receptions, 69 yards
Colorado Passing Shedeur Sanders 24/39, 245 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Sy'veon Wilkerson 4 carries, 17 yards
Receiving Travis Hunter 8 receptions, 98 yards, 1 TD

vs No. 21 Arizona

See also: 2023 Arizona Wildcats football team.

Statistics ARIZ COL
First downs 22 18
Total yards 421 339
Rushes/yards 27–207 30–88
Passing yards 214 262
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 21–35–0 22–35–0
Time of possession 24:50 31:48
Team Category Player Statistics
Arizona Passing 21/35, 214 yards, 2 TD
Rushing 11 carries, 179 yards
Receiving 9 receptions, 107 yards, 1 TD
Colorado Passing Shedeur Sanders 22/35, 262 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Shedeur Sanders 13 carries, 29 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Xavier Weaver 5 receptions, 84 yards

at Washington State

See also: 2023 Washington State Cougars football team.

Statistics COL WSU
First downs 15 23
Total yards 255 469
Rushes/yards 41–91 32–127
Passing yards 164 342
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 12–27–1 20–33–0
Time of possession 29:25 30:35
Team Category Player Statistics
Colorado Passing Shedeur Sanders 6/10, 86 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Sy'veon Wilkerson 13 carries, 49 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Travis Hunter 4 receptions, 82 yards, 1 TD
Washington State Passing 18/30, 288 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Nakia Watson 8 carries, 47 yards
Receiving Josh Kelly 6 receptions, 130 yards

at Utah

See also: 2023 Utah Utes football team and Rumble in the Rockies.

Statistics COL UTAH
First downs 13 22
Total yards 262 329
Rushes/yards 17–37 53–268
Passing yards 225 61
Passing: Comp–Att–Int 18–25–0 6–10–0
Time of possession 20:56 39:04
Team Category Player Statistics
Colorado Passing Ryan Staub 17/24, 195 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Sy'veon Wilkerson 7 carries, 32 yards
Receiving Travis Hunter 8 receptions, 107 yards, 1 TD
Utah Passing Luke Bottari 6/10, 61 yards
Rushing Jaylon Glover 17 carries, 107 yards
Receiving Mikey Matthews 2 receptions, 19 yards

Personnel

Recruiting class

Transfers

Outgoing

Maurice BellWRWithdrew
Isaiah LewisSWithdrew
Montana Lemonious-CraigWRArizona
Taylor UpshawDEArizona
Jordyn TysonWRArizona State
J. T. ShroutQBArkansas State
Xavier SmithSAustin Peay
Ty RobinsonWRBall State
Chase PenryWRBoise State
Deion SmithRBBYU
Kaylin MooreCBCalifornia
Jack HesteraWRCharlotte
Austin JohnsonOLCharlotte
Zach CourtneyTECoastal Carolina
Chase SowellWREast Carolina
Casey RoddickOLFlorida State
Oakie Salave'aDLHawaii
Aubrey SmithLBHouston
Devin GrantDLIncarnate Word
Mister WilliamsILBIncarnate Word
Luke EckardtOLIowa Western Community College
Tyas MartinDLJackson State
Mason MaddoxDLKent State
Joshua WigginsCBLiberty
Victor VennRBLiberty
Austin SmithTEMemphis
Tyrin TaylorSMemphis
Maddox KoppQBMiami (OH)
Jalen SamiDLMichigan State
Seydou TraoreTEMississippi State
Dylan DixsonSMissouri State
Yousef MugharbilOTNC State
Brendon LewisQBNevada
Travis GrayOTNew Mexico
Edgar AmayaOLNorth Alabama
Zion MagaleiLBNorthern Arizona
Ashton LoganPOklahoma
Jeremy Mack Jr.SOld Dominion
Kaden LudwickTEOregon
Nikko ReedCBOregon
Jason OliverCBSacramento State
Tayvion BeasleyCBSan Diego State
Keyshon MillsCBSMU
Noah FenskeOLSouthern Illinois
Aaron AustinDLStephen F. Austin
Alex HarkeyOLTexas State
Chance MainEDGETexas State
Janaz JordanDLTowson
Drew CarterQBUC Davis (basketball)
Jake WileyOLUCLA
Cole BeckerKUtah
Grant PageWRUtah State
Simeon HarrisCBUtah State
Jackson AndersonOLUTSA
Owen McCownQBUTSA
Allen BaughDLValdosta State
James MottQBVillanova
Na'im RodmanDLWashington State
Ryan WillamsDLWestern Kentucky
Nigel Bethel Jr.CBTBD
Shakaun BowserLBTBD
Eoghan KerryOLBTBD
Jayle StacksRBTBD
Alvin WilliamsEDGETBD
Jordan WoolvertonSTBD

Incoming

Demouy KennedyLBAlabama
Jahquez RobinsonDBAlabama
Jace FeelyKArizona State
Juwan MitchellLBArizona State
Jordan DomineckDLArkansas
Myles SlusherSArkansas
Tavarish DawsonWRAuburn
Jaylen EllisWRBaylor
Kareem HardenOLButler Community College
Champion JohnsonRBCalifornia
LaVonta BentleyLBClemson
Shane CokesDLDartmouth
David ConnerOLFlorida
Omarion CooperCBFlorida State
Brendan GantLBFlorida State
Derrick McLendon IIDEFlorida State
Bishop ThomasDLFlorida State
Travis JayCBFlorida State
Leonard PayneDLFresno State
Alton McCaskillRBHouston
Jeremiah BrownLBJackson State
Tyler BrownOLJackson State
Willie GainesWRJackson State
Travis HunterCB/WRJackson State
Alejandro MataKJackson State
Jacob PolitteLSJackson State
Shedeur SandersQBJackson State
Shilo SandersSJackson State
Cam'Ron Silmon-CraigSJackson State
Sy'veon WilkersonRBJackson State
Jack BaileyOTKent State
Savion WashingtonOTKent State
Kavosiey SmokeRBKentucky
Vito TisdaleSKentucky
Reggie YoungOLLiberty
Mark VassettPLouisville
Khairi MannsDEMaine
Arden WalkerDEMissouri
Landon BebeeOLMissouri State
Gavin KuldQBNortheastern Oklahoma A&M
Javon AntonioWRNorthwestern State
D'Vion HarrisDEOld Dominion
Chazz WallaceDTOld Dominion
Kyndrich BreedloveCBOle Miss
J. J. HawkinsDEOle Miss
Rodrick WardSSouthern Utah
Amari McNeillDTTennessee
Jimmy Horn Jr.WRUSF
Xavier WeaverWRUSF
Sav'ell SmallsDEWashington
Jaylen EllisWRWest Virginia
Taijh AlstonDEWest Virginia
Marshawn KneelandDEWestern Michigan

[8] [9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ourlads.com . 2023 Colorado Buffaloes Football Depth Chart . September 28, 2023.
  2. News: Snyder . Curtis . CU Black & Gold Day Spring Game Sold Out . University of Colorado Athletics . March 30, 2023.
  3. News: Snyder . Curtis . Colorado Football 2023 Season Tickets Sold Out . University of Colorado Athletics . April 17, 2023.
  4. News: Woelk . Neil . Buffs Deliver Prime Performance In Spring Game . University of Colorado Athletics . April 22, 2023.
  5. News: Snyder . Curtis . ESPN To Air Spring Football Game As Part Of Black & Gold Day . University of Colorado Athletics . March 13, 2023.
  6. News: Snyder . Curtis . Pac-12 Announces 2023 League Football Schedules . University of Colorado Athletics. . January 18, 2023.
  7. Web site: 2023 Colorado Football Schedule. FB Schedules. December 21, 2022.
  8. Web site: 2023 Colorado Football Transfer Portal . ON3 . en.
  9. Web site: 2023 College Football Transfer Portal . 247Sports . en.